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Beer makers ride from Durango to Boulder in BoulDurango

Bicycle odyssey now an annual ritual

By Erick Plattner

Friday Beer Correspondent

Posted:
07/26/2016 09:55:00 AM MDT

Updated:
07/26/2016 10:07:32 AM MDT

On Monday, July 18, the 7th annual Tour de BoulDurango kicked off. The six-day 436 mile bike ride followed a grueling route from Durango to Boulder, where it ended on Saturday, July 23, at Avery s taproom. (Courtesy photo)

To some folks, a six-day 436 mile bike ride across some of the Centennial State's most grueling terrain from Durango to Boulder may sound like a nightmare. But for several Colorado brewery owners and employees it's a yearly ritual — an excuse to encourage camaraderie and collaboration.

Seven years ago, Avery Brewing Company's founder, Adam Avery, gathered a handful of brewery buddies who set off on bikes from Avery's taproom down to Ska Brewing's headquarters in Durango. The BoulDurango ride was such a hit that Avery and Ska opted to make it an annual trip.

On Monday, July 18, the 7th annual Tour de BoulDurango kicked off, with members from Avery, Ska, Boulder Beer, Epic Brewing, Great Divide Brewing and Left Hand Brewing heading north toward Silverton, and eventually Boulder.

As the crew made their way north, I caught up with Left Hand's national field quality manager, Josh Breckel, to check in on how the ride was going. “It's an absolute blast,” Breckel said. “It's not very often you get to hang out with 14 fellow brewers and friends and bike across Colorado.”

This is the first year that the bike tour will be reversing the flow of the peloton, which began in Durango and will end in Boulder. The team is expected to roll into town sometime in the afternoon on Saturday, July 23, and cycling enthusiasts and craft beer supporters alike are invited to Avery's taproom where the BoulDurango Finish Line Fest will take place. The event will occur from 2-6 p.m., and while admission is free, attendees will be able to purchase a commemorative glass and beer for $5, with proceeds going to Cyclists 4 Community, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing support for Boulder County communities.

After a 93-mile ride into Boulder on Saturday, “We will definitely be ready for a few beers,” said Breckel.

Twisted Pine is turning legal

On the weekend of July 22, Twisted Pine Brewing Co., one of Boulder's oldest breweries, is turning 21, and will be celebrating all weekend long with new beer releases, live music and food specials.

Earlier this year, Twisted Pine made the uncommon move of pulling its packaged products from retail stores, opting instead to focus entirely on their established ale house in Boulder. While some might see this as a reactive move, I see it as just the opposite: they simply want to focus on providing the community that helped them bloom with the best — and freshest — beer possible.

Lately, they have been tapping at least one new beer a week, adding to their already stacked repertoire of specialty beers. If you haven't swung by the Walnut Street taphouse recently, this weekend is the perfect time to change that.

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